| 59 polemics, from discussions in the pulpit, stage, bar-room, canal and steamboat, of the fireside, and high-way side: and perhaps you are not aware that many, very many, are from the most enlightened portions of New England; men that have been rocked in the cradle of orthodoxy and liberty; accustomed to fatigue, privation and opposition; and knowing that heir religion has more light and truth, and the power of the Holy Ghost to support it, than any other that has existed since the days of the apostles; they are prepared to endure all things with the assurance that their reward is great in heaven. You wish to know the general character of the people. There is probably less profanity, drunkenness, lewdness, theft, fighting, gambling and tavern haunting, than in any other city of the same magnitude.
But I must close my answer to your many and minute inquiries, having already protracted them beyond my original design. Your letter contains many important enquiries [inquiries] similar indeed to what I have received from other distinguished friends from different parts of the Union; and you will accept my apology for not answering at an earlier date; and though I design this epistle to be a general answer to all similar enquries [inquiries], yet shall hereafter readily reciprocate all private communications in the usual method of friendship and affect ion.
Most sincerely and truly yours, ORSON SPENCER.
Brother Spencer is a graduate of Union College, New York, and has for many years had a respectable standing as a minister in the "Baptist Church;" and as he is generaly [generally] known in the New England States, we presume that the above logical and conclusive expose of our principle, will be read with interest, by his numerous friends, and by all the Saints.-ED]
TIMES AND SEASONS,
CITY OF NAUVOO,
MONDAY JANUARY 2, , 1843.
THE RELEASE OF GEN. JOSEPH SMITH.
We are happy to have it in our power to state, that the distinguished individual above named is once more free, and the illegal prosecution, and persecution which has been instituted against him by ex-Gov. Boggs, Gov. Reynolds of Missouri, and ex-Gov. Carlin of this State, has terminated successfully in behalf of the innocent and unoffending; and we have had one striking instance of the dignity and purity of our laws being held inviolate, despite of executive influence and intrigue, and the influence of misrepresentation and bigotry.
Mr. Smith had long been convinced of the illegality of the proceedings which were instituted against him; but he at the same time thought that when public excitement was so great, and popular prejudice so strong, that it would be hazardous for him to place himself in the hands of any of the minions of Ex-Gov. Carlin-judging (very correctly) that if that gentleman had issued a writ illegally, and unconstitutionally for his apprehension, he might use an unwarrantable, executive influence in having him delivered up to the justice (i. e. injustice) of the State of Missouri.
But while on the one hand he feared, and had reason to fear, usurped executive power; he as firmly believed that if he could obtain a fair and impartial hearing before the judiciary that there was sufficient strength, and virtue in the laws, to deliver him from the unjust influence, and mal-administraton [administration] of his enemies.
Feeling fully convinced of the justice of his cause, he repaired to Springfield, about two weeks ago, for the purpose of obtaining a hearing, (and as he believed) receiving and acquittal from the District Court of the United States, for the district of Illinois.
The Secretary of State had been instructed to send for the writ issued by Gov. Carlin, that Mr. Smith might have the privilege of the Habeas Corpus and of having the legality and constitutionality of the writ tested.
But as Ex-Governor Carlin, or the sheriff of Adams county, or both, were either afraid of having their deeds investigated, or wished to set at defiance the law; the writ was not forthcoming; and after the great hue and cry that has been made about Joseph Smith's fleeing from justice, he was absolutely under the necessity of petitioning Governor Ford to issue another writ before he conld [could] obtain a hearing before the court. For the purpose of answering the ends of justice, and that Mr. Smith might be legally and fairly dealt with, Governor Ford issued another writ, which was a copy of the one issued by Gov. Carlin. Mr. Smith then petitioned the United States district court for a writ of Habeas Corpus, which was granted and he appeared before that court on Saturday the 30th of December, 1842, and gave bail for his appearance at court on Monday. Mr. Lansbourn [Lamborn], the Attorney General of the State of Illinois, appeared in behalf of the State, and Mr. Butterfield was counsel for Gen. Smith.
On Monday Mr. Lamborn requested of the court a little time, stating that the subject was new to him, that it was one of great importance,
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